With the lack of flexibility in the lineup and the Rangers strong need to carry a 7th D-man, Dan Fritsche was placed on waivers. I'm almost positive that a team will claim him and his salary of 875 k isn't a back breaker. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the Island as Mike Sillinger is done for the year. Dan would get tons of ice time and can play both wing and center,giving Isles coach Scott Gordon flexibility. Fritsche wouldn't be mistaken for `Michael Nylander,but a few teams are looking for extra support on center. Chicago has been looking all year for center help and Florida as well,but it wouldn't be a shockl if he ended up back in his hometown playing with Columbus.

When the Rangers played in Russia this year, Fritsche scored a huge goal in the Victoria Cup. He rushed up the ice with a burst of speed ,and then ripping a shot past the Metallurg keeper from right above the circle. At that point I could see why Glen Sather insisted he be included in the trade with the Jackets. But, Sathers shopping spree of 3rd and 4th line forwards created a log jam in the fort. Sather failed to factor in the forwards he already had in the system,with Fredrik Sjostrom becoming a fixture on the pen tally kill. One other move the Rangers may HAVE to make is moving Michal Rozsival to clear some more room.

In my next post I'll talk about possible fits, I think a deal with the Ducks having Pronger headed back is a good start. Good Luck Danny you'll be some where else on Thursday.

January 28, 2009 11:03 AM ET
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I would love for Pronger to be here but I don't think Rozi would be the only person going to Anaheim. I think they would ask for a 1st round pick or a Top Prospect like Grachev or Anisimov and I am not willing to do that. How about this Pronger and Bobby Ryan for Rozi, Dubi OR Anisimov and a 1st? Would you do this when you know you have Dubinsky Gomez Drury Betts all centermen with Anisimov coming through the system and most likely won't be able to sign them both to long term contracts. The question I have for you is who has more upside Dubinsky or Anisimov?

January 28, 2009 11:48 AM ET
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Yeah totally agree with you wolfie. They would surley want more ,but the Rangers are going to have to add roster spots and cap space to allow Sanguinetti,Potter,and Del Zoto a chance to make the team. Plus they will have to extend Marc Staal who could one day be our next captain. Grachev has got to stray,we havent had a power foward in the system since Graves. Plus like you say Anisimov and don't forget Z. Thats an all Russian line that not only can help eachother on the ice but help one another off the ice in NYC. Now about Anisimov,he's definitly a points producer. He's almost at apoint per game in Hartford,but more important can handle playing with superstar talent. Artem was Cherepanov and Filatov's center in WC,not too shabby. If the Rangers decide not to move Gomer then they will have to decide on extending Dubi. The way the team is playing now,they should start to think about extending Blair Betts who is still not yet 30. Adding Ryan would give the Rangers another first round pick with Z,to make up for thier lapses in the draft.Thats Ryan,Staal,and Z all first round picks and top talent. If Anisimov can fill out some more and picks up his physical game the choice to move Dubi may be a little easier. I think with Fritsche on waivers the Rangers will start to look at some of the Hartford kids to asses what they have,now that they have the flexabillity.

January 28, 2009 12:23 PM ET
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I would love for Ryan to come here and if it took Dubi and 2nd I would do it in a second, even though I love what Dubi and what he has done for the Rangers. Ryan is from Cherry Hill NJ and would prob love to play here. Dubi is from Alaska and would be closer to home. Anaheim is loaded with talent on the wings but besides Getzlaf they really lack depth at center. They have Rob Neidameyer, Todd Marchant, and Brendan Morrison that is not great down the middle and they are getting up their in age. They have some great Youth on the wings with Kunitz, and Perry. You can't forget Selanee who is great most of the time when he is healthy. Dubi makes as much sense for them as it does Ryan for us.

January 28, 2009 12:43 PM ET
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Yeah Rangers need better wings and Rob Nieds is a free agent. I think Morrison and Marchant maybe too! Didn't know he was from Cherry hill,but Remeber Dubi grew up with Blue in his Blood,his family was from NY. Not sure what centers are on the Market this year but if I had Getzlaf and Dubi down the middle on my club ,wow. One thing I wonder if the Rangers may look to do,moving Dubi to the Wing. With Dawes,Prucha,Cally,and Korpedo they have most of the same kind of player. I think Renny

January 28, 2009 12:46 PM ET
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Fritsche cleared so he is depth in Hartford now with Rissmiller. Remember that in the playoffs there is no cap so they could look to make a deal and bring them up in case someone goes down. Also the Rangers are not going to move Rozsival. he has played well and they can still fit in a UFA like Tkatchuk or Antropov at the deadlineIf he sparks interest and the package works then coolfor example Rozi, Kalinin, Prucha and a pick for Tkathcuk, McKee.........then fine

January 28, 2009 12:51 PM ET
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Vitto they have to think long term about money committed. Rozi has played great in the playoffs but still they have not made it out of the second round two years running. the St Louis deal maybe something there, love Mckee and his deal only has another year or two,plus Kieth is a UFA. Kieth parks himslef in front on the PP and McKee hits Crosby for all 6 games ( we win)

January 28, 2009 1:33 PM ET
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Why on earth does everyone think Bobby Ryan can be had for little to nothing? He's the leading rookie goal scorer and he's only played a little more than half the year. The Ducks are already goal starved so they're not going to give him up for nothing. Since we're talking ridiculous one way deals, how about Pronger, Ryan, and Giguere for Dubinsky, Stahl, and Lundquist?

January 28, 2009 3:36 PM ET
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hey Capmess, you obviously haven't seen Jiggy play this year!:) My reaction was directed more towards Ek saying he has headed to Buffalo for Afinaginov who absolutely no one wants. If I'm Bob Murray and the Rangers GM called with that deal, I'd have everyone on a plane ASAP before the Blue Shirts changed their mind.

January 28, 2009 4:00 PM ET
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Ha, got to admit haven't Jiggy too much. I did hear that Francois Alaire was reall yhigh on Hiller when they came to town to play both ny teams. JS is one of my favorites,just picked up an oldschool whalers jiggy jersey. I think he may have a few issues over there no? Lost his dad was that this season,and the D isn't is sound. Ryans,first year up now is he the real deal?

January 28, 2009 4:05 PM ET
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i think ryan will soon be up there in league leading scoring catagory..i see him as having talent like parise.. it would defnitly take a big offer to get him from the duckies

January 28, 2009 4:12 PM ET
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Well Nj,rangers do have the goods believe me. They have plenty of bodies moving fast in Grachev who will be in Hartford or the Ranger snext year. One thing they do have is a few young defenseman in the works. Way I figure maybe a NJ kid for Nj kid trade can go down,with the Rangers moving Sanguinetti to duck town. Either way Rangers have parts, and if hes like Zach ewww.

January 28, 2009 4:17 PM ET
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No offense to Parise but I feel that Ryan has a higher ceiling of potential and more star power. Parise is only having his 1st break out season now so I would like to see it from him on a year to year basis consistently before I put him in elite company. Just my opinion of course.

January 28, 2009 4:27 PM ET
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adwolf you could defnetly be right, i was just trying to get the point across that ryan is the real deal just as you said... i defnetly could see ryan being a 100 pt player

January 28, 2009 4:37 PM ET
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Capmess- what do you mean ewww, are you a 9 year old girl?? not sure if you realize parise is on pace for 50 goals and a 100 points. somthing no devil has ever done.... im assuming your joking

January 28, 2009 4:39 PM ET
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i dont know anybody that wouldnt want parise as a part of there team.. i think most people would take him over gomez or drury or nasland... and i am definetly not saying gomez drury an nasland arent amazing players..

January 28, 2009 4:42 PM ET
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lol,no I meant eeeew as in ewww pretty damn scary riding shotgun along side of Scott Gomez. Ny Newsday just had an article on " what if the Islanders/Rangers had drafted him". I'de be a pretty damn big 9 year old girl 6'3" 238... with out the skates!

January 28, 2009 5:17 PM ET
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6'3" 238... , that would be a scary 9 year old girl lol...!!!!!!!!!!!111111111my bad CAPMESS.. i took it as an insult. and i couldnt figureout how anyone would think parise sux

January 28, 2009 5:41 PM ET
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I'm sorry but that Ryan and Pronger for Roszival, (Dubinsky/Anisimov) and a 1st is a stupid trade proposal... Rozsival is a top four guy... but no way is he worth a fraction of Pronger... especially when he's making what he does... Bobby Ryan as a 'future' has far greater value than any Rangers youngster plus a pick as the Rangers aren't going to picking in the top 15, and doubtfully in the top 20... this dude is the real deal and is going to be a force for years...